Pudge-in-the-box

Although Mommy has bought me a ton of toys, I always find the extraneous cardboard box so much more interesting.

Mr. Fix-it

Look at how handy I've become with home improvement projects and fake tools. Someone get me a tool belt, stat!

Antic of the day

Yesterday, I conned Mommy into buying me a new bouncy ball at Harris Teeter. At home I showed it to Daddy and screamed, "Mickey Mouse!" when I saw him on one side of the ball. When I turned it over, I pointed and asked, "What's that?" Daddy told me, "That's Minnie Mouse." I shook my head and proclaimed, "That's Mommy Mickey Mouse!"

My new bushbaby friend

Here are some pictures Mommy took of me yesterday with my new friend, Boromir (whom I call a squirrel). Better watch out, Mommy--I might just have a new best friend now!

Daily roundup

Today's likes: Reaching into our neighbor's cat door and petting a very bewildered kitty cat (whilst giggling maniacally); using a Swiffer duster on Mommy's head while she was trying to nap

Today's dislikes: Daddy ("I don't like Daddy! I like Mommy!" I said when Daddy tried to put me to bed)

Word of the day: "boring" (I told Mommy I wanted to drive her car, but when I opened the door, I sighed, "This is boring--I need a new one!" and headed to Daddy's car)

Daily roundup

Today's likes: Boromir the bushbaby (Mommy and Daddy's stuffed animal, which I stole from their dresser and took to Lowe's with me)

Today's dislikes: When Mommy chided me for crushing a clematis petal in my destructive little fist at Lowe's

Word of the day: "Booger." Today at Gold's daycare, I waved one around and screamed, "Mommy, I have booger! Here you go!" (which led some of the grownups to speculate about what kind of Mother's day present I might have in store for Mommy).

Antic of the day: When Mommy was trying to show the electrician something in her room, I vanished from sight. Mommy looked all over the downstairs for me and started to panic. Finally, the electrician said he thought he heard a noise upstairs. When Mommy looked upstairs, I was sitting on the futon, giggling uproariously. It's fun to play hide and seek, especially when the other person doesn't know she's playing!

Daily roundup

Today's likes: Mommy (I declared her to be my "best friend forever" and gave her a big hug today); using diaper wipes to "clean" my crayons and create interesting color effects

Today's dislikes: Kermit the Frog (whenever I see him, I say, "I scared Ke-mit!")

Antic of the day: This morning around 6:45, Mommy was blissfully asleep when I started making funny grunting noises. Although she tried to ignore me, I finally declared, "I wet PJs, Mommy!" When she finally dragged her lazy butt over to investigate, I was lying in my crib with a big smile on my face, clad only in my diaper, having already shed my soaked green feetsie PJs after a struggle with the zipper.

Quote of the morning

Mommy: Would you like more Cheerios?

Me: Yes, please!

Mommy (rhapsodizing because I used the "magic word"): You are such a good baby! You are the best baby!

Me (indignantly): I'm not a baby anymore!

Puff Daddy

I enjoy a good meerschaum now and then, but Mommy says I'm too young to smoke anything but these bubbles. Anyone got a deerstalker to complete the ensemble?

Daily roundup

Today's likes: "Helping" the plumber install our shiny new dishwasher, running around naked in the kitchen pretending to vacuum

Today's dislikes: When Daddy told me there was no more bubble solution left; when Mommy wouldn't let me play with the "ear-Pods" at Sam's Club

Today's words/phrases: "American flag"; "Virginia flag" (prompted by the flag display I spotted at Sam's Club)

Antic of the day: When Mommy picked me up at Gold's Gym, I waved bye to the adults. Then I ran over to several random kids and gave them each an elaborate wave and "bye." Talk about a grand exit!

Bad hair day

Mommy needs to give my unruly hair a trim. I tried to send her a message by using this baseball cap as a cover-up, especially since this damp weather has been giving me the frizzies in the morning.

Daily roundup

Today's likes: Near East rice pilaf; Emeril's apple chicken sausages (which I call "hot dogs"); decorating Daddy's birthday cake; dabbing whipped cream on my face and calling it "lipstick"

Today's dislikes: All the balloons at Harris Teeter--Mommy would point to each balloon in the greeting card aisle, and I'd shake my head and say no to each one. After rejecting about 15 balloons, she arbitrarily chose the Thomas one so we could go home before Daddy's ice cream melted.

New skills: I now know my full name (first, middle, and last), Daddy's first and last name, and Mommy's first name. (Mommy says her parents brag that she knew her phone number and address at my age, but I'm sure I'll get there in the next week or two.)

Beauty sleep

Look at these pictures of me after my nap today. Can you see why three-hour naps are a good thing?

Jackson Pudget

Today is Daddy's 30th birthday! Since I've been clamoring for a "happy birthday" party of my own for quite a while, Mommy indulged me by getting me a Thomas the Tank Engine balloon and letting me decorate Daddy's birthday cake (a flourless chocolate cake made with an 85% cacao Lindt bar and frosted with a Ghiradelli dark chocolate ganache--are you seeing a theme here?). I even got to blow out some of the candles! We topped it off with freshly whipped cream and Starbucks coffee ice cream. (Frankly, I would have preferred a raspberry coulis and some white chocolate shavings, but Mommy has very plebian taste.) It was almost as fun as playing with the three Bernese mountain dogs I met on my afternoon walk!

Quote of the day

When Mommy was searching through the laundry heap for a top to wear, I ran up to her from behind, put my icy hands on her bare back, and cried, "Hello, plump nudist!" Unfortunately, Mommy didn't seem very pleased with this greeting. I wonder why?

Tasty treats

I recently discovered the sheer delight of Girl Scout Cookies--Mommy and Daddy were eating them behind my back, but I have caught on (I have a nose for chocolate!). Now I frequently demand "girl cookies" whenever I want a treat. Next time, they had better double their order and start sharing like good boys and girls. Whatever happened to leading by example?

Quotes of the day

1) After peeling the wrapper off one of my crayons, I held it up to Mommy and screamed, "Pencil nudist!"

2) When I saw a drawing of a spider in my Halloween coloring book, I said, "No spider eat Nuri!" Mommy told me that it was a nice spider, so I said, "I kiss spider! I hug spider!"

3) Mommy asked me, "Do you want to help Mommy make a birthday cake for Daddy? Daddy's birthday is tomorrow." I replied, "I need happy birthday presents!"

No sharing

This morning, Mommy and I broke apart the last 2 bananas of the bunch like a wishbone. Mommy asked, "Which one do you want?" I grabbed hers and cried, "Both!"

Playing with Daddy and my helicopter

I adore helicopters (and occasionally ask Mommy to drive me to the airport so I can "fly in the helicopter to Cincinnati"). This one probably won't make it that far, but it is fun to watch it fly.

Daily roundup

Today's likes: My new Lego toy, Benny the Backhoe (from Bob the Builder). I even shared it with Mocha by placing the pieces between his paws.

Today's dislikes: When Mommy wouldn't let me play with the faucets and sinks at the bath design center--at least Daddy lets me play in the sinks at Lowe's

Today's phrase/antic: This morning I waved goodbye to Daddy when he left for work and said, "Have fun, Daddy!"

Happy Easter!

At last, Easter is here! Mommy said we could make Easter eggs. (Unfortunately, she didn't mean the sugary kind that I have been nibbling on for the past few weeks.) Here is a photoshoot of the event. As you can see, I thought the egg-dipping wand was going to blow some bubbles. Daddy taught me the proper dipping technique, so I didn't splash everyone with egg dye. It was fun to dip the eggs and take them out. And once the eggs dried, I could identify some of Mommy's pitiful drawings--a penguin, a snowman (hey, it snowed yesterday, so not inappropriate for this time of year), a bunny rabbit, and various other shapes. This is good practice for planning a birthday cake for Daddy. This time, I will do all the design work!

Early-onset Howard Hughes-ism?

I am such a fastidious person, I have taken to wiping off my toys with a diaper wipe to avoid icky germs. I always use Purell after I help Mommy throw away my dirty diapers, too. (Editorial note from Mommy: Of course, this is the same baby who likes to drink his own bathwater!)

Antic of the day

When I went to gym daycare with Daddy, I saw a whale and screamed, "That's Jonah!" (And Mommy and Daddy were skeptical about the concept of vegetable-based Bible stories...)

Harlem Globetrotters, eat your hearts out!

Cheerio fun

Even though Mommy thinks Cheerios are the most boring cereal (I guess she is more of a Cap'n Crunch kind of gal), I can make anything seem fun.

Daily roundup

Today's likes: Running around the carpet store kissing and hugging the decorative stone dogs; flying a toy helicopter with Daddy until it got really dark and cold outside.

Today's dislikes: Having to come inside after flying the helicopter with Daddy; Mommy's meatballs

Memorable quotes from the last few days:

1) Mommy: "Emus cannot fly" (referring to the "Move like an emu" song on my Wiggles CD)
Me: "Emu need new helicopter! Helicopter can fly!"

2) Me (after seeing a Chippendale model tear off his shirt on the show Identity): "He nudist!"

3) Mommy (drawing a snowman): "Snowman has eyes" (draws eyes). "Snowman has nose" (draws nose).
Me: "Snowman have boobs!"

New skill: I can read the word "moon" (Mommy is trying to teach me to read, and "moon" happens to have letters that I already know in it.)

Check out my new hat

Actually, it's Mommy's hat, but my big head fills it out very nicely.

Grooming

I found a hairbrush and gave Mocha a much-needed grooming today. Then I gave myself a quick touch-up for good measure. Thank goodness for my low-maintenance haircut!

Daily roundup

Today's likes: Dumping all my toys out of my toybins and hurling all my books out of the bookshelf while declaring "I having fun!"; sleeping with my Winnie-the-Pooh pillow that Grandma made me

Today's dislikes: Eating oatmeal the proper way, and not trying to make "balls" with it between my fingers.

Quote/antic of the day: (while eating Dinonuggets for lunch) "I eat Dinonugget butt! Dinonugget butt all gone! I eat Dinonugget nose!"; (then, when picking up a new Dinonugget) "I find new Dinonugget butt!"

Perpetuating stereotypes

Yesterday I helped Mommy and Daddy clear off the coffee table. I found a book on gardening and said, "Mommy book!" and gave it to her. Then I found a book on home repair and said, "Daddy book!" and gave it to him. How helpful of me!

Daily roundup

Today's likes: Taking pictures with Mommy's camera, watering pansies with Daddy, checking all the mailboxes at Lowe's (and raising the flags).

Today's dislikes: Dinonuggets ("I can't eat this!"); all the ceiling fans at Lowe's that Mommy was thinking of buying ("I don't like this one!").

Word of the day: "Porcutine!" (Although I used to call the porcupines in the Jonah video "bunny raddits," I now recognize their true name.)

Antic of the day: After I helped Daddy water the flowers, I ran into the garage and cried, "I need my truck!" Mommy finally figured out I was referring to my little dump truck. When she gave it to me, I screamed, "I need dirt!" I then proceeded to a pile of dirt Mommy helpfully excavated for me (in the guise of planting a new azalea) and filled the truck with dirt. And dumped it out.

Green thumb

One of my favorite pastimes is "helping" Mommy in the garden. I really liked helping my grandma when I was in LA, so I am enjoying applying my skills to a new climate zone.

Eyeshadow

Yesterday I pronounced my orange crayon "eyeshadow" and applied it to my face. Mommy doesn't think orange is my color, but since orange is the only color I can reliably identify, I should probably stick with it for now.

Bathtub antics

Yesterday I demanded that Mommy find my purple and orange starfishies so that I could play with them in the bath. Unfortunately, Mommy is incompetent and only found the purple one.

Today when I was taking a bath, I mystified Daddy by jumping out without draining the tub. I ran over to Mommy in the living room, but instead of giving her a drippy hug, I snatched the orange starfish that was under the table and ran back to the tub to continue my bath.

If you want something done right, I guess you have to do it yourself!

Today's quotes

1) "Sorry, I can't hear you!" (a quote from Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie)

2) "That's pizza bus! Bye, pizza bus!" (on seeing a Domino's Pizza truck drive by)